Marina charges during lock down?

[Ian_Edwards]

I'm surprised that that this hasn't come up before, perhaps I've been looking in the wrong place ....

I've just been hit by a large bill for one months storage undercover. I had a 6 month winter package contract which ended at the end of March. I had a launch slot booked for the 27th March and the marina closed on the 25th March.

I've taken legal advice, which essentially says I shouldn't have to pay for the additional storage cost, because the marina closure was the marinas unilateral decision and there is no explicit reason in the Scottish legislation which says it should close, unlike caravan parks. I haven't had any correspondence from the marina, there has been no discussion, just a bill based on the full winter storage rate, not the 6 month discounted rate or the summer rate both of which are substantially lower.

This is NOT a discussion about me wanting to go sailing, I'd have just put the boat on my summer mooring, which I have already paid for and gone home., the local yard would have kept an eye on the boat for me.

My concern is that the marina is exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic to maximise its profits.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? There must be 1,000's for boats trapped in marinas and yards which would normally have been moved or launched by now and away to summer moorings.

I'd like to know how widespread the practice of marinas charging for additional storage which wasn't requested and for which no contract is in place.

 

[FlyingGoose]

There has been many threads on this more specifically for the South , the best advice is to contact the marina and tell then your concerns and come to a compromise with them, you will find it is a generic letter and no though has been given to it ,
It is like your car insurance quote every year keeps going up from the same insurer, because they know like many service industries, tv packages, insurance etc , that there will be a percentage that accept the rise, they also know a percentage will look else were , so they offset this by offering new customers the best deals .
It is a game ,within all industries on how much money they can get from their customers,
Write them a letter explaining the situation and how they are going to justify the extra cost which you have no way to avoid . and ask for a reasonable solution ,
I am doing this with my marina and it is going well , so I wish you luck

 

[[70521]]

It has come up countless times, the search function is rubbish on the forums.

It will be interesting to see what the boatyard does on receipt of a legal letter.

 

[Bobc]

Sounds like un-reasonable behaviour by the marina to me. I would just not pay the invoice and write to them stating why and what you are prepared to pay for.

 

[SYTomkat]

James Watt Dock waived April’s fees and have reduced May’s by 65% which I think is reasonable given that they are checking on the boat and will do any additional tasks such as occasionally plugging in to shore supply or checking bilge if I ask them to. My annual contract with them ended on 31 Mar and I’ve paid this year’s elsewhere for a berth I’m not currently using.

 

[duncan99210]

Not taking the side of your marina but you might want to check if the harbour authorities issued a lock down notice on the harbour. I know that Falmouth Harbour Commissioners have issued a NTM effectively closing the harbour and all facilities to recreational boating.
That said, I’d expect there to be some room for negotiation about storage charges given that it wasn’t your choice to keep,the boat ashore.

 

[RJJ]

I have sent you a PM. You are on the right track in my opinion.

 

[awol]

James Watt Dock waived April’s fees and have reduced May’s by 65% which I think is reasonable given that they are checking on the boat and will do any additional tasks such as occasionally plugging in to shore supply or checking bilge if I ask them to. My annual contract with them ended on 31 Mar and I’ve paid this year’s elsewhere for a berth I’m not currently using.

I have wintered with JWD for at least 7 years and can testify to the thoughtful considerate behaviour of the management. They have costs during the lockdown and it seems fair that I should contribute. I'm antifouled and ready so roll on relaxation.